Azerbaijan, Baku, Aug.26 / Trend /
After getting strict order not to use weapons against the civilian population the Syrian militaries did not shoot at demonstrators, even when certain individuals among them opened fire at the soldiers, Chief of the Syiran Armed Forces' Main Hospital in Damascus, Gen. Faisal Hassan said in an interview with the Arab editorial office of the Russia Today TV channel - "Rusiya Al-Yaum".
"The Syrian militaries have never opened fire at civilians, except in cases of necessary self-defense," Hassan said.
"During the developments that took place in Syria, wounded soldiers, members of security forcers and civilians suffered at the hands of armed bandits appealed to us, Hassan said.
He said the hospital's doctors also accepted those who with weapons in hands opposed the security forces.
"We provide all necessary medical aid to all until recovery," Hassan stressed.
Mass protests in Syria began in mid-March in Dera'a in the south of the country, and then spread to other regions. According to the Syrian human rights activists, over 1,600 people were killed in clashes with security forces during that time.
According to authorities, since the beginning of the developments around 500 soldiers and member of security forces were killed as a result of actions of the "armed terrorist elements".
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton stated on behalf of the European Union that Bashar al-Assad lost legitimacy in the eyes of the Syrian people and called for him to step aside. Ashton also said that the EU prepares a new package of sanctions against the Syrian leadership. France, Germany, UK and Spain supported the EU position.